Telescoping rearview assembly with camera and lens wiping system

Abstract

A rear-view side mirror assembly includes a base for attachment to a vehicle, one or more support arms extending from the base, and a mirror head attached to the support arm and configured for telescoping movement along the support arm. A camera is fixedly attached to the support arm so as to remain stationary relative to the mirror base and vehicle as the mirror head telescopes inward and outward. An elongated aperture in the mirror head housing ensures that the camera lens is not occluded as the mirror head telescopes between a retracted position and an extended position. A lens cleaning system is adapted to wipe the lens clean each time the housing telescopes between inboard and outboard positions.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A side-location telescoping rearview assembly comprising:
 one or more support arms attached to and extending from a base assembly configured for attachment to a side portion of a vehicle; 
 a rearview housing slidingly attached to the one or more support arms such that the housing can telescope relative to the base between a retracted, inboard position and an extended, outboard position; and 
 a camera positioned within the housing and attached to the one or more support arms, the camera configured to provide images exterior to the vehicle via a lens having a view area through an elongated aperture in the housing, wherein the camera lens is configured to remain in a stationary position relative to the base as the housing telescopes, and wherein the elongated aperture is configured relative to the camera lens such that the camera can obtain view area images exterior to the vehicle through the elongated aperture as the housing is telescoped between the inboard and outboard positions; and 
 further comprising a housing maintenance system for keeping the housing clean and operable. 
 
     
     
       2. The side-location telescoping rearview assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the housing maintenance system comprises a flexible track for closing the aperture in areas adjacent the camera lens. 
     
     
       3. The side-location telescoping rearview assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible track is held in position within the housing by one or more track guides. 
     
     
       4. The side-location telescoping rearview assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the housing maintenance system comprises a lens cleaning system. 
     
     
       5. The side-location telescoping rearview assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the lens cleaning system comprises a bracket fixed to the housing and extending over the elongated aperture, a wiper holder disposed in the bracket, and a wiper element held by the wiper holder, whereby the wiper element is adapted to engage and clean the lens in the elongated slot as the housing is telescoped between the inboard and outboard positions. 
     
     
       6. The side-location telescoping rearview assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the bracket is integrally molded with a portion of the rearview housing. 
     
     
       7. The side-location telescoping rearview assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the bracket is attached to the rearview housing by fasteners. 
     
     
       8. The side-location telescoping rearview assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the wiper element is selected from a brush, a fabric, an elastomeric blade, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       9. The side-location telescoping rearview assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the wiper element comprises a material selected from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a low density polyethylene (LDPE), rubber, felt, soft fabric, or a sponge-like material. 
     
     
       10. The side-location telescoping rearview assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the wiper element of the lens cleaning system occupies less than one third the length of the elongated slot. 
     
     
       11. The side-location telescoping rearview assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising source of washer fluid and a dispensing tube configured to dispense washer fluid onto the wiper element. 
     
     
       12. The side-location telescoping rearview assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising source of washer fluid and a dispensing tube configured to dispense washer fluid onto the camera lens. 
     
     
       13. The side-location telescoping rearview assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the housing maintenance system further comprises a source of washer fluid and a dispensing tube configured to dispense washer fluid onto the camera lens. 
     
     
       14. The side-location telescoping rearview assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the housing maintenance system further comprises a pressure system for dispensing the washer fluid onto the camera lens under high pressure. 
     
     
       15. A side-location telescoping rearview assembly comprising:
 one or more support arms attached to and extending from a base assembly configured for attachment to a side portion of a vehicle; 
 a rearview housing slidingly attached to the one or more support arms such that the housing can telescope relative to the base between a retracted, inboard position and an extended, outboard position; and 
 a camera positioned within the housing and attached to the one or more support arms, the camera configured to provide images exterior to the vehicle via a lens having a view area through an elongated aperture in the housing, wherein the camera lens is configured to remain in a stationary position relative to the base as the housing telescopes, and wherein the elongated aperture is configured relative to the camera lens such that the camera can obtain view area images exterior to the vehicle through the elongated aperture as the housing is telescoped between the inboard and outboard positions; and 
 further comprising a lens cleaning system having a bracket fixed to the housing and extending over the elongated aperture, a wiper holder disposed in the bracket, and a wiper element held by the wiper holder, whereby the wiper element is adapted to engage and clean the lens in the elongated slot as the housing is telescoped between the inboard and outboard positions. 
 
     
     
       16. The side-location telescoping rearview assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the wiper element is selected from a brush, a fabric, an elastomeric blade, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       17. The side-location telescoping rearview assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the wiper element comprises a material selected from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a low density polyethylene (LDPE), rubber, felt, soft fabric, or a sponge-like material. 
     
     
       18. The side-location telescoping rearview assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the wiper element of the lens cleaning system occupies less than one third the length of the elongated slot. 
     
     
       19. The side-location telescoping rearview assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising source of washer fluid and a dispensing tube configured to dispense washer fluid onto the wiper element.